January 17, 2014 marked the "tipping point" in world awareness. The monstrosities of events like the Taiji, Japan drive-hunts have erupted in outcries from across the country.

Research has proven that cetaceans' (whales and dolphins) mental and social capabilities are far more advanced than previously understood when slaughters and captive selection around the world began half a century ago. Under current marine mammal protection laws, these sentient beings are failed by the one apex animal (humans) powerful enough to steward their continued existence and preservation.

We, the people, took it upon ourselves to challenge media to bring awareness, challenge cultural mindsets and provoke change. Without awareness, the human race will lose the only equally competent intelligent being on this Earth.

We commend Ambassador Caroline Kennedy for her succinct and courageous statement regarding the inhumaneness of the drive hunts, which were followed by similar statements from representatives of the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany, whose Minister stated, “Dolphins have to be protected.” Further, Greece’s upholding of the ban on using dolphins as performers, in resistance to the Attica Zoological Park’s demand that an exemption be created for these performances because the dolphins’ performances should be considered “educational”, is another necessary and critical step in creating a world in which dolphins are truly respected and protected. Creation of this Day of Awareness will be another such critical step.

Please, accept this nomination to recognize, yearly, January 17th as National Dolphin and Whale Protection Awareness Day to remember and bring continued conversation, education, research, celebration and conservation for our counterparts of the ocean.